For example, they may experience a loss of control over their drinking, which can lead to risky behavior and poor decision-making. It’s essential to seek help early on to avoid further negative consequences. Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic and progressive disease that https://ecosoberhouse.com/ involves the compulsive use of alcohol despite its negative consequences. It is characterized by physical dependence on alcohol, tolerance to its effects, and withdrawal symptoms when the individual stops drinking. Alcohol use disorder is a multifaceted issue that affects individuals differently.
Chronic Severe Subtype
Alcohol serves as a way for them to cope with the stress and trauma they have experienced, and they may feel that it is the only way they can find relief. Many of those who fall into the intermediate familial subtype will not seek out treatment, however, those who do are likely to attend self-help groups, detoxification programs, treatment programs, and private health care providers. Most likely to be male, this group typically starts to drink around age 17 and can find themselves with alcohol dependence by the time they’re 32. It’s likely that they continue to meet the demands of their environment and separate their drinking into a second area of their life. They are no less dependent on and addicted to their alcohol, they just hide it well. They rarely seek treatment for the problem they don’t think exists and even those who do typically expect no more than a 12-step program to help.
The NIAAA Study and Their Definition of the 5 Types of Alcoholics
This subtype of alcoholics is the most likely to seek treatment and the most heavily represented type of alcoholic in a treatment program. About two-thirds of chronic severe alcoholics get help for their drinking. Many people who fall into the young antisocial alcoholic subtype suffer from other mental health disorders as well, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, or depression. As many as three-fourths of this subset also smoke marijuana and/or cigarettes, and many also struggle with opioid or cocaine addictions as well. Polydrug abuse, and co-occurring disorders combined with alcohol abuse, increases the risk for addiction and can interfere with treatment measures.
- Treatment for alcohol use disorder varies depending on the severity of your symptoms and how long the condition has persisted.
- These are people that may seem to have their lives together; they may be the ones that others look up to.
- But no matter your age, status, family, or subtype, alcoholism can create long-term problems that damage your health and relationships.
- More than 50 percent of young antisocial alcoholics have a psychiatric diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder, a mental condition characterized by antagonism and a callous disregard of others and the law.
- More than 50 percent of these individuals display traits of antisocial personality disorder and high rates of mental health disorders such as depression, social phobia, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The Five Types of Alcoholics: Different Faces of Alcoholism
However, chronic alcohol abuse can also cause damage to other organs such as the heart, pancreas, and brain. It’s essential for family members to seek support and resources to help them cope with their 5 types of alcoholics loved one’s addiction. Support groups like Al-Anon provide a safe space for family members and friends of alcoholics to share their experiences and find comfort in knowing they are not alone.
Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medical Professionals
Young Adult Subtype
- However, those that do fall into this subtype display the most severe symptoms of chronic alcoholism.
- About a third of the members of this group seeks help; when they do, they prefer self-help groups and detox programs.
- Functional alcoholism can be overcome with time and treatment, but one cannot wish it away or take command of it through willpower alone.
- Thus the data was therefore not a representative sample of men and women, and it also ignored the 25% of alcoholics who never seek or receive treatment.
- While treatment for all alcoholics remains generally similar, some may respond better to different addiction support types than others.